Today is the day that the multi-talented Alison Sweeney’s directorial debut on General Hospital will be seen by the viewers of the ABC soap opera! Sweeney ( who is still currently airing on DAYS in front of the camera as Sami) directed scenes in this Friday’s episode ofGH!

And in a new feature about her time in Port Charles behind the lens in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest on newsstands now, she reveals she will be back for more!

Alison commented: “I’m looking forward to my next opportunity. Frank (Valenini) invited me back. I’m very excited to come back again. It’s a very different schedule coming in once every two months to direct.

It’s fun for me and exactly what I want, the opportunity to do something different, something great, on a way less committed time schedule.” Sweeney also revealed to SOD she is in talks to also direct at Days of our Lives.

Meanwhile yesterday, General Hospital’s head writer Ron Carlivati sent out a tweet to the fans of the series which stated, “Fair warning: Tomorrow’s episode of General Hospital is going to be EPIC. #GH“

Excited to watch Alison’s directorial debut? What do you think will go happen on today’s GH that could be “epic”? Comment below!

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jimh(leave it to beaver)

Epic…if anything exciting happens that’ll be EPIC…does Nathan and Dante rescue Maxi and Lulu…that could have some excitement or do we waite for Fluke’s October return if A.G. returns at all…my interest in GH and Days isnt there like it was and im going to try to continue to watch and support both at least until Days 50th next year…so if things at both shows dont improve by the end of 2015 i will be done with these two shows once and for all…they do help take my mind off my personal health issues but when both shows start to loose steam they are no help at all…Days return of Kristen hasnt been as exciting as it couldve been…had Kristen returned with Eriks baby and showing Grandma Marlena’s shocked reaction and difficulty accepting a grandchild from her no.1 enemy would have been so much better a story than what ive seen so far…Jordans storyline is a snooze…it really needs to pick up soon…GH has some good moments…i like the part when Dehlia mistook a picture of Sonnys father for her husband Roger(both played by Ron Hale)..its these little moments that should happen more often…but rehashing the Sonny/Julian mob wars and the love triangles of Scott/Bobbi/Lucy and Lucad/Brad/Felix are just pointless plot fillers that stagnates and ruins the show as a whole…so if both of these shows do not improve by the end of 2015 im permantely done with daytime soaps after 50 years!!!

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August 15, 2014 10:13 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Well, the Lucas/Brad/Felix triangle played out a little better today than the Scott/Bobbi/Lucy triangle…however, its still a filler plot that dragged out Levi plotline…and yes its a soap and i know it does play as if in real time…Milo and Ephinany could add much humor to the show as a couple if done right but they’ll probably be yet another filler plot and rarely seen like Max and Diane!…PLOT PREDICTION: Now that Nina knows Sonny plans to snuff out Ava, me thinks Nina will try to kill Ava herself and frame Sonny but Nina mistakes a blonde Carly for Ava and attempts to kill her instead…Carly survives the attack but thinks Franco attacked her because he is jealous of Carlys relationship with Sonny!!! I Dont care for the Franco character but his best chemistry is with Nina and vice versa!!!

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August 15, 2014 12:13 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

DOESNT play like real time…

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August 15, 2014 12:14 pm

MBmomof3

jimh(leave it to beaver), I’m sorry to read of your health problems. As a lifelong soapfan myself, I totally get what you’re saying. But, selfishly, I hope you don’t give up on the soaps because I would really miss your witty, insightful posts.

Sending good thoughts your way for healthy, soap-filled days ahead. Peace.

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August 15, 2014 12:14 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

I am not giving up just yet…i just felt the last few days of soap watching just wasnt too great i.m.o., and was disappointed in some storylines that i had higher expectations for…plus some filler plots that just drags out other stories can be annoying but im trying not to let that bug me…i do not and i repeat do not mention my current health issues for any kind of sympathy like some other commenters think i do…i occasionally mention it because sometimes it intefers with my writing and causes some memory lapses…so sometimes i make mistakes…also watching soaps have been helpful keeping my mind off things and helping me fight depression as well…so i mention this thinking it might be helpful to others with the same problems but instead some blast me for it but i try not to let that bug me if i can help it…thanks for your kind reply!!!

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August 16, 2014 4:08 am

Michael S.

Anyone who reads GH blogs on this site knows you’re not interested because lately all your comments have been complaints. A lot of negative comments but yet you seem to tune in every day. Maybe you should just keep quite for awhile and your attitude and outlook towards the show will change. Try to look for the positive man instead of critiquing the hell out of it.

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August 15, 2014 2:48 pm

Harry

But see, Michael? Jim usually is the one trying to think of something positive to say about GH. The very fact that he is complaining should mean something to you. Telling him to keep quiet for the sake of collective perception sounds rather desperate. Not only that, it seems that you might think that Jim has the power to sway other viewers with his opinion. In other words, you gave him an off handed compliment. It also makes me wonder who the heck you are.

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August 16, 2014 1:06 am

Lisa

Stop being a drama queen, its not all about you. go back to the hospital, where you belong. I HEAR heather webber needs a roommate. lol.

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August 15, 2014 2:50 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

ATTENTION LISA AND OTHERS ON THIS MESSAGE BOARD: One of my problems is depression…something i have in common with a certain soap actor and has been a problem for years…soap watching helps me cope with my battling with depression and other health issues that includes severe pain…when i said watching soaps helps me cope with health problems was my way of hoping to help others with similiar problems…you dont know me and what im dealing with…i wasnt going to go into details but i thought i need to explain my self to you after your rude uncalled for comparing me to Heather Webber…depression is a serious health issue and nothing to joke about…i wouldnt wish it on you or your family…next time think before you reply!!!

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August 16, 2014 4:19 am

4ever DAYS

You should be ashamed of yourself. We lose people everyday to depression and you’re adding fuel to the fire…simmer down.

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August 16, 2014 7:16 pm

jaybird369

Lisa…that is N-O-T a very nice thing to say…PERIOD!!!!! Not cool at all. Depression is NOTHING to joke about or to laugh at. No. Please stop it.

Thank you.

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August 20, 2014 1:28 am

David

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!

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August 15, 2014 5:51 pm

GH50

I’d like to know why anyone posting on this site thinks it is appropriate to personally attack another poster. This forum is for opinions and discussion. If you all love the show so much than write about that. But it’s hard to isn’t it? So what you do is attack someone who intelligently points out the shows flaws.

I post on this site and I can’t remember the last time I had something positive to say. And it makes perfect sense that I can’t, because I find the writing and production to be of extremely poor quality through and through, day after day, because it is the same group writing and producing, day after day. So nothing changes.

To the great credit of Michael Fairman, he allows all view points and opinions. I’m sure some of you don’t like that, but he is a journalist, he opens his forum to critical discussion and he does not sensor thought.

Some of you don’t like that some of us post critical comments on the show, but I rarely here a rebuttal to why we are wrong. It’s usually, then why do you watch?, stop watching, shut up, don’t let the door hit you on the way out, and I won’t even comment on the remark by Lisa that was directed to Jimh. He is able to intelligently articulate his thoughts about the show, I would invite any of you to do the same.

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August 15, 2014 11:03 pm

Harry

Michael, Lisa and David–OH my! It might interest you three (thought I suspect that you may be one person) to know that Jim is one of the most optimistic GH fans. Sure, he complains from time to time but that only serves to show that he is a bit of a realist. In fact, Jim has often, in his good natured and witty way, come along to jolt me out of my own negative thinking when it comes to GH.
You attacking one of the biggest GH supporters in such a nasty way is really unwarranted. Thank you GH50 for saying the same.
Jim, hope your health problems are solved and I also hope, as I know you do too, that GH starts to serve up a much needed dose of enjoyable and good quality escapism.

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August 16, 2014 12:56 am

David

I never attacked anyone. Sayint let the door hit you on the way out last time I checked was not a personal attack. The point is GH50 and jimh you both should have quit watching a long time. You hate the show so much yet all you do is complain about it. As I have said before though if you didn’t watch you wouldn’t be able to come on here and complain. ABC is very happy with GH as well its producer/writer. That won’t be changing. Yet people like you continue to watch and complain for over 2 years now. I always see the I will stop watching or the I have watched for a long time and I want the show to change. The show has changed It is 2014 not 1980. The show isnt going back to how it was then. There are plenty of other programs for you to watch. The problem is you don’t like when anyone points things out like this and take it as a personal attack. I for one enjoy GH. I like the mix of storylines. I like the quicker pace of things. I like the mix of veterans(and don’t tell me veterans are not on) The show has Mac, Felicia, Nickolas, Elizabeth, Sonny, Carly, Alexis all who have been on the show long enough to be considered a vet. So that complaint dont work with me. I like that they have incorporated new characters. I like the bits of funny moments mixed in with the drama. Its not the same as it was back when I watched in the 1980s. It has evolved like any TV show that is going to be on for 50 years should.

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August 16, 2014 8:35 am

Dan

GH50, my issue with you isn’t what you post, because you certainly have the right to post your opinions, just like anyone else. I would never question or doubt that. My issue is that you come off with this attitude like you think your opinions are the gospel passed down from the Lord Almighty himself. Speaking for myself, you rub me the wrong way with the way you condescendingly talk down to people that don’t share the same views as you, like you’re somehow smarter than everyone else in the room. This post you just made is further proof of that. I’ve seen plenty of people on here, myself included, counter your points in an intelligently articulate fashion in the past, and here you are talking down to everyone, acting like no one here is capable of having an intelligent discussion about GH. That’s simply not true. Your opinions on what you perceive to be the flaws of GH are just that, your opinions, and they’re not any more or less valid than anyone else’s opinions. I’m talking about the people that actually share valid opinions about the show. I agree that there’s no place for disrespect and name calling on here, regardless of whether you’re a GH supporter or not. As far as your take on the show, I disagree with those opinions. I’m enjoying GH more now than I have in years. I think the acting on the show is as good, if not better, than it’s ever been. That has and continues to be their main strength. The writing has had some hits and misses, there’s no question about that. But in my view, far more hits than misses. They don’t use the veteran characters as much as most of us would like, but I think they do a pretty good job trying to balance everything, and making sure that pretty much everyone has something to do. I know others here have talked negatively about it, but I’m enjoying the hell out of the Scotty/Bobbie/Lucy triangle, because first of all, it gives some beloved characters screen time, which is never a bad thing, and it’s a throw back storyline that plays off the past of all three characters. Is it a perfectly written storyline? No, but I would rather see Kin Shriner, Jackie Zeman and Lynn Herring doing something than not be on the show at all. It’s 2014, so they’re not gonna be front burner characters anymore. But if the writers can find ways to incorporate legacy characters like that in the show from time to time, I’m more than happy with that. The stuff with Lucas, Brad and Felix is just harmless, campy fun, which is what a soap opera is. I like the mix that they have on the show. Drama, action, love, humor, that’s what I want to see from a soap opera, and that’s what I’m getting from GH. It isn’t all doom and gloom, and the Sonny & Jason Show with… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 9:44 am

GH50

Dan, I couldn’t even get through reading your whole post and if you happen to think that is condescending than so be it this time. The reason for that is because you are absolutely off base. I post about the show. They are obviously my opinions. If they sound like the gospel to you it might be because there is so much truth to them. If they anger you or anyone else, it could be that you are more than just a fan of the show. I am critical of the show, not other posters. I rarely, if ever, engage other posters unless they engage me as you are doing now. I engaged posters on this thread because of how they responded to Jimh which I thought was low and uncalled for. I state my opinions. If you think they are condescending because they point out the stupidity of a show that some like, then I can’t help you if you are connecting the dots in that way. Your post here is indicative of those who have an affiliation with the show who populate messageboards to run interference, change the conversation and point fingers at posters to try and devalue their arguments. I think Cartini are incompetents who have ruined a show that I once loved. The lack of talent offends me. What I see on my screen offends me. As for you David, since you engaged me, you have it all wrong. To decide why people do or do not watch the show, if they should or shouldn’t and then to take a shot by saying that if I or anyone else didn’t watch we wouldn’t be able to come here and complain is actually condescending and a very superficial take. The thing that you don’t seem to understand is that it doesn’t take a whole lot of effort to keep GH on in the background while you go about your day. I have a TV on all day in my office, sometimes news and sometimes GH. I’m not glued to it and I’m capable of multi-tasking. And honestly these days I watch it because of how bad it is. I find it entertaining that a network show can be so poorly written, directed, and acted at times. It’s like having a bad B movie to watch everyday for an hour and I enjoy bad B movies. I also enjoy a few people on twitter who also see how ridiculously bad it is and their comments are hysterical and honestly if it wasn’t for that aspect of it I may have stopped watching. And I won’t be writing back to anyone on this thread because it is not what I come here for. I’m not really interested in getting into arguments and debating with people I don’t know. I come to read Michaal Fairman’s columns, I like to read people’s take on the show and I post my opinions. I don’t know any of you, so why should I… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 2:30 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Obviously David you havent read all my posts…first of all i am NOT 100% critical of GH…had you read my other post were i said the next episode was a slight improvement you would know that…i even said im trying to keep watching which means i do still have some interest in both shows…many here including myself have said positive things and negative things about our shows…just like some resturuants there are food i like and some i dislike but it doesnt mean ill stop eating there unless it all turns bad…same with my soaps…just because I didnt like this weeks worth of episodes doesnt mean i wont like next weeks…i had a personal bad week(ever had one of those were everything goes wrong plus i had scary health issues with both me and my 17 year old and i took it out on my soaps because what i thought would happen just didnt) i had high hopes this weeks episodes would help take my mind off it…so i didnt like this weeks episodes…why not give a civil rebuttal what you did like…thats what this message board should be about…if you said this one episode was awful i wouldnt be sarcastic in my reply…ive made teasing replies but not negative ones…sometimes i will say how i wish the story would go when i dont like something…sometimes people reply that they like it or they dont…their response is usually in the form of a civil rebutal…you said seeing vets Scotty, Bobbi, and Lucy in a triangle is better than not seeing them at all…well, i agree and disagree…yes, it is good to see them at all but not two episodes a month in an endless triangle…these stars are very talented and deserve better even if just recuring…i liked that Lucy was caught in the middle of the Levi story…i want more of that…i like the actor who plays Lucas and id like to see his stepmother Bobbi interact in more scenes with him…Scott should be used in more scenes too and not just at the police station…i wasnt opposed to the Lucas/Brad/ and Felix triangle…both triangles were more filler than anything else and that one episode where all three were discusing their possible threesome did have a little campy humor but it came off more like i was watching a talk show than anything else and thats why i didnt care for it…i also didnt like having Mac shot in a cliffhanger but wasnt seen in the next episode the way a good episode with a cliffhanger should continue…that i didnt like…but i also said i did see some improvement which i guess you didnt see…anyway if or not you ever respond in the future to one of my post whether i write something negative or positive i about the soaps and you disagree could it just be a civil rebuttal…just simply discussing our likes and dislikes is a lot more fun for us all instead of making a big thing… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 3:06 pm

David

Jimh I am sorry to hear about your health issues that you and your child are having. WHile we may not agree about things said in regards to GH I dont have anything personal against you. I hope things get better soon for both of you and I hope that this upcoming week is better for you.

I believe I try to be civil but in fairness and may be its not you but there are many that post on that if you say anything positive about GH they jump down your throats. I was in no way looking to personally attack you. Maybe I was a bit sarcastic with my don’t let the door hit you reply but it wasnt meant as a personal attack.

I think the reason you don’t see the Bobbi/Scotty/Lucy is monterary and budget related. I know the argument will be to cut some of the cast but I dont think in this day and age that seeing them on every day is going to help the shows ratings. The Lucas/Brad/Felix thing all led to basically Lucas and Brad getting together with Felix deciding he didn’t want that type of relationship. I felt so bad for that character when he realized Milo didn’t want him.

The show didn’t end with Mac being shot. The show ended with Levi and his accomplice taking off with Maxi and Lulu. Mac was shot before that and he had said he was ok. Since due to preemption the show is a day behind I assume we will see the rest of what happens with that on Monday which would have been the normal Friday episode.

My other point is I grew up much like you did on this show. I enjoyed it a lot int he 1980s but for me I can understand that it wont be that show again. This wasnt directed just at you but a lot of others who say oh vets werent on yet what exactly is a vet. Characters like Elizabeth, Nicolas, Sonny, Carly, etc have been on the show for close to 20 years.

I get the you might like somethings. However I see a lot of not liking it. You used the restaurant analaogy. If I go to a restaurant and I don’t like 75% of their food Im not going to that restaurant again.

Anyhow I apologize if you felt attacked that was not the intention. I hope your health and your childs is better and that your week is far better upcoming.

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August 16, 2014 5:14 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Thanks David for your Aug.16 5:14pm reply…i do feel we now understand each other in a better way…your original reply wasnt as harsh as some of the others…how bad i was feeling and my 17 year olds health scare plus my depression combined with those replies just got me going…one poster said to my negative comments i must need to get laid…that was completely rude and childish and then Lisa said i belong in the hosptital with Heather…now she probably didnt know about my depression issues(i didnt intend to go in to detail so i mentioned medical) but i still took offense…when i say something negative i want a plain and simple rebuttal…and i repeat i wasnt 100% critical…i just got annoyed with both GH and Days because i thought this weeks episodes were a let down and i did not watch all of them…when i said ill quit watching came on because of my mood swings from my severe depression this week which can hit me off and on like it has the last 40 plus years…here i wont go it to details but as a child i dealt in secret two seperate traumatic moments in my life no child should, had 8 school years of bully nonsense, and since the 90s ive lost over two dozen family members and friends with three more within the last year…ive been in treatments for 30 years…plus i have a poor imune system and most of my life ive been ill a lot…these last two years have been some of the worse and its bad enough i get sick i now have to worry about the kid as well…thankfully so far its not life threatening i hope…but in any case watching soaps does me help deal with it…its my cant cope…doent loose hope…watch a soap! Anyway, i get what you are saying…seeing some of these characters is a lot better than not at all but i wont give up hope more will be given to them…i like Bobbi and Lucas and like to see them in scenes together…i rewatched this weeks episodes and did see some better moments like Felix deciding not to jump into a relationship with Lucas and Brad and would wait for the right man…the actor was great in those scenes and if he continues to give a great performance like that he might get an emmy nod…as for Milo i think he and Epiphany might add some good humor moments to the show…i think me and you David now have a better understanding of each other and will be able to respond to each other in a more civil manner…hoping next week will be better…have a nice weekend!!!

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August 17, 2014 6:31 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

A BIG thanks to GH50…along with Shay, Harry and several others too numerous to mention…all have had very well written and intelligent comments without being so cold and negative like some of the rude uncalled for replies i have recieved here of late…we all have a right to our opinions and sometimes we cant all write well thought out comments negative or bad but that doesnt call for some people to be so rude and nasty…if any post something you dont like there is no need for name calling ect.,…what is wrong with a simple rebuttal of giving just the opposite of why you think differently whether someone hates something you like or like somethingyou hate…is this something too difficult for some of you…why?

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August 16, 2014 4:34 am

David

First off to Harry I only post as me. The moderators of this site I am sure can verify that. I don’t think anyone was attacking anyone. The point that I saw everyone making is there is a constant theme of jimh and even GH50 of constantly complaining about GH. My simple point was why watch. It has become so bad but yet for over a year at least Ive seen nothing but complaints from jimh. My opinion is he shouldn’t watch. If people disagree witht that its their right to do so. But it is also my right to say so. What is funny is you go site to stie to site its the same people posting the same thing and again the quesiton is Why keep watching something that you dislike so bad. For years I was a big All My Children fan. Then in the 2000s I hated what the show became. Did I keep complaining about it and still watch everyday. No I tuned out. That is my only point and I won’t feel bad for saying it. Sorry if anyones feelings were hurt over that but need to get a thciker skin if thats the case

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August 16, 2014 1:16 pm

Shay

Hello, jimh! Just wanted to add my good wishes to you for better days ahead (and for GH, too!!!!) Without previously knowing the specifics, I had read between the lines and guessed that you had experienced far more than your share of trials and tribulations in life, yet you always seem to be one of the most pleasant and welcome voices on this website…even when you have a negative comment! Don’t ever change or let the naysayers get you down…..you have both a wonderful imagination and an enviable knowledge of soap opera history . I have learned so much from your posts, so keep on keepin’ on and take care! : )

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August 18, 2014 6:01 pm

Mary SF

I am on vacation so been offline for most of the time, just catching up now, on the last few days of posts. I hope you don’t take the negative comments to heart– as a long time viewer myself I get your frustration and you have every right to give your opinion, unfortunately we live in a world when those who disagree with us can’t find an intelligent way to debate any topic they resort to personal attacks. It is shame, but it will happen so try not to let them get to you.
Soaps are in their summer slump right now, so I never expect anything but filler and B stories in the summer– if everything is this dull in November then I would say you might have a reason for jumping ship. However, I don’t think the summer slump is the problem. I don’t know you, know you, but what I have seen on this site is you have a very creative mind, and in your imagination you have stories which are so much interesting than the ones on screen. I think you can’t help but be disappointed when what on screen pales to what you en vision it could be. Your mind can project directions stories should go in, your knowledge of the history helps to see connections writers could make to the past if they chose to. Maybe the constant disappointment between what you would like to see and what is actually shown is what is taking away your enjoyment.
I hope you decide to stick with the shows, but if your enjoyment of them has waned then it might be better for your health to find things in life that will bring you joy. But I know your posts have given me joy, so whether you stay or jumped ship, I am glad our path crossed—

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August 16, 2014 11:27 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Mary SF, you have been one of my favorites on this site along with several others…you are always thoughtful and make well written inteligent comments…thanks for the compliment about my creativeness but ive seen you come up with some brilliant ideas yourself…so i compliment you too…i know i had to explain myself in the past and especially to you…i seen another poster be rude to a different poster about how the latter had written her comments and she had to go one to explain her medical condition which you know ive had to do several times here…well, this turn out to be a bad week for me…ive been ill a lot(got very sick this week) and im a long time sufferer of depression…i wasnt going to mention this and hinted at it in the past but i felt this time is was necessary…a lot of horrible things happen to me over the years that got me this way plus have medical crises, endless deaths of family and friends since the late 90s and other problems …watching soaps actually has been very helpful…but this is the week were everything went wrong and i took it out on my soaps…problems started the week, ive been sick, got worse, then my 17 year old got ill past out at the store…we ended up at the hospital together for test but things got screwed up and we had to go back the next day from 7am to noon to redo both our tests…both had different medical problems and i got deeply depressed…got home hoping my soaps would perk me up and got disappointed and took my frustrations out on my shows…Kristens return on Days was ok at first but not as exciting as i expected…GH was a letdown…now i expect some filler moments but the whole hour felt like a filler and a lame talk show about some characters sex life which i might have not mind had it not been almost the entire episode…also i know time on soaps arent like real life but i didnt like that Mac was shot during a cliffhanger and not shown at all in the next episode like it shouldve been…ok, ive gotten ill and depressed combined with other problems so i might have gone a little overboard and took it out on my soaps…i expected too much from them but after watching soaps since the early 60s and remembering how well written they were and how they rarelly let you down, i feel spoiled…i used to write to soap magazines in those days and a lot of us complained if we didnt like something or to give praise and i dont recall ever getting any rude response like you do here…must be the times…the thing here is ive read more negative comments and no one said anything to them the way theyve done me…like ive said above im not really giving up my soaps…my original comments was my illness and bout with depression talking…but even when… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 3:53 pm

Harry

Good Lord, David! I looked up the word loquacious in the dictionary and it read, ‘See David.” Really, brevity is the soul of wit. Honestly, you would not have to go on so long if you felt you were in the right.
I do not want to belabor this topic. However, I will say this–you are just plain wrong when you claim that commentators start to blindly engage in insulting behavior when another commentator says something positive about GH. That is simply not true. In fact, it is the other way around– the folks who have dared find fault with GH are the ones who have been on the receiving end of insults. I could belabor this point but then I would negate my original point and then I would forget exactly what that point was.
Jim–I admire your courage. That is the first step made toward conquering that dark monster called depression which is always lurking there on the shadowy fringe of life. Just when you think you’ve conquered this shadowy monster, He just pounces back on you when you least expect it.
Good for you for calling attention to it without shame. It IS a chemical imbalance which involves the dysfunction of the dopamine receptors. If the receptors are not functioning properly, the dopamine (which is what makes us feel happiness) does not travel to frontal lobes of the brain. Depression is not something we can smile our way out of. I find people who suffer from depression often are comics or just tend to joke around a lot, trying to laugh it off. Jim, you are a very funny commentator and I thank you for making us all smile and laugh. I just hope you take care of you.
Now, back to soaps–would it not be a great idea if soaps, GH in particular, would deal with the subject of depression? Back in the day, soaps did deal with real life issues. And now I wish I could think of something funny to say but suddenly feel very sad so I guess I will just say, goodnight and good luck.

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August 19, 2014 1:19 am

Mary SF

I lit a candle and said a prayer for you today at mass—it sounds like you are dealing with a lot in your life right now and I know from experience how overwhelming it can be at times. I too had my bouts with depression, so I completely understand how depression alters perceptions– saps energy and makes dealing with everyday life seem like such an effort, so if you throw in a real crisis such health issues etc, then it is really easy to start drowning in that sea of darkness depression can throw over our lives. So I hope you are taking care of yourself, using the resources you know have helped you through in the past, and remembering you have gotten through difficult experiences before, so you can do it again– remember that.

If any good can come out of the recent passing of Robin Williams I hope it will be society becoming more understanding about what depression is or isn’t. It is not a weakness, or a character flaw it is a disease which can inflict anyone at anytime. So many things could trigger depression, but the depression itself is a condition that really doesn’t relate to what triggered it.

There isn’t a one size cure all for everyone, each individual brain chemistry is different, and finding the best treatment can be an exhausting search, without any guarantees. And often people are trying to seek help after the fact, after the depression sets in when they not really in any state of mind to think clearly about treatments or how to cope.

I highly recommend everyone research depression and get familiar with symptoms, signs, and treatments— have an idea of what they would do if they ever got depressed and write it down. Because trust me, if the day ever happens, you will be glad you did all that before your energy, your thinking and your judgement become impaired by malfunction in brain chemistry.

I know this post isn’t really about soaps, so I apology for taking this time to discuss this, but I survived two suicide attempts, so this is a topic near and dear to my heart. So whenever I hear anyone speak about feeling depressed I take it seriously– so thank you for letting me speak about this, and Jim, know you are not alone and you can get through this, don’t believe anything in your head that tells you can’t.

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August 17, 2014 8:43 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Thanks Mary…it was an overwhelming stressful week…last night i visited my oldest sister and that was a lot of help plus i went back to counseling…this depression runs in my family and me and my two older sisters been in treatments for it…we’ve experienced a lot of tragic moments in our lives…ive also survived past suicide attempts…the last in 1998…im doing somewhat better at the moment…i apologize for going off topic folks(i felt i needed to) and to thank Mary SF for your kind support…God Bless You!!!

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August 17, 2014 11:55 am

MBmomof3

I’m excited. I’m a big fan of Ms. Sweeney and GH. Like peanut butter and chocolate. A great combination.

Hoping it is EPIC! lol.

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August 15, 2014 10:25 am

MBmomof3

I thought the episode was very good and superior by GH standards. Well done, Ms. Sweeney.

Epic? Let’s just say RC needs a new Thesaurus. He also needs to get over himself.

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August 16, 2014 11:25 am

su0000

FUN FUN FUN!
Luivin GH .. It stands alone!
GH has it’s very own way that no other soap has..
The other 3 soaps are good but each miss what GH has; uniqueness !
RC and FV take GH out of the box!!

I hope they take GH as far as they can go– be bold!

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August 15, 2014 11:24 am

Harry

I wish the Beach Boys had thought of that.

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August 16, 2014 1:01 am

rebecca1

Hahahahaha…Harry… ! (love that dry, sardonic one-two) LOL

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August 16, 2014 4:50 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

You perk me up Harry when im feeling down…the Beach Boys…love it…lol

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August 17, 2014 6:35 am

Eileen Hargis

Hopefully Nathan and Dante rescue Maxie and Lulu unharmed and Mac is ok.

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August 15, 2014 11:34 am

Michael

I look forward to seeing her work.

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August 15, 2014 11:49 am

Virginia

I am happy for Alison Sweeney, they have allowed her to direct the “shoot out” which did not finish out the week . I can hardly wait for Monday, because I think Dante called for “Backup” [I hope].

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August 15, 2014 11:56 am

elm1951

she directed today’s eppy – the shoot out was yesterday……………

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August 15, 2014 3:35 pm

Virginia

I agree, I left the word “should” out of my remark. But hey, don’t you wish she was assigned this Monday & Tuesday when the cops go after Levi & his partner, using the same attitude as “Sami”?

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August 15, 2014 6:28 pm

Misty

NOT A THING! Not epic by a long shot.

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August 15, 2014 12:02 pm

vinman

EPIC….hardly…..

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August 15, 2014 3:29 pm

Fanny

Far from EPIC a sleeper

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August 15, 2014 5:25 pm

Mark

Gh is so fun to watch!

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August 15, 2014 12:38 pm

Aria

Epic better mean we finally get to see billy miller debut on GH otherwise I think anything else is overstating things!

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August 15, 2014 12:40 pm

formerGHfan

Love AS – but if RC thinks something is epic that probably means I won’t like it.

RC is the worst thing that has happened to GH. GH used to be taken serirously, now its Passions 2.0

Awful. Cheesy. Lame. and predictable.

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August 15, 2014 1:08 pm

Tsuds

HMMM “EPIC!!!” as a writer I would think Ron Carlivati would be able to use the appropriate word to describe an episode.. It was a good episode today.. but in no way I would call it “epic”.. I do like the spoilers and the teasing, but I will definitely think again before I get conned into his tweeting games… Not COOL RON!!!

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August 15, 2014 2:07 pm

aria

lol, i totally agree with you, I think RC excites himself, and really thinks he puts things out that are going to excite us or surprise us, but he’s become predictable, so i started thinking what did he think was so epic about this episode? i mean to use that word “epic” i was looking for something well, epic, but all i got was a good episode, nothing shocking, or new or surprising. i’m sure maybe a few were surprise about the milo and epiphany pairing but thats because like most of his story they just come out of left field, yet, that one in case mr. RC didn’t know was already making the rounds on the internet as a new pairing so no real surprise there, specially an epic one. If anything was epic it was RC a writer misusing the word epic.

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August 15, 2014 8:36 pm

elm1951

epic??? i watched it twice just in case i missed something – i saw nothing epic in today’s eppy……………..

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August 15, 2014 3:35 pm

Mary SF

I can’t be certain, but I know there where I live a couple of weeks ago GH was interrupted so I think the shows out of sync with what they were originally filmed to be on– will wait to see if Monday’s show, which would have been Fridays, to see what they might be referring to.

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August 16, 2014 10:59 am

chris

horrible! I am soo disappointed and its Friday!!! it was epic alright-epic fail!

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August 15, 2014 4:53 pm

David

Keep in mind due to a preemption a couple weeks ago they are still running a day behind so the episode that aired on Friday was actually a Thursday episode.

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August 16, 2014 11:03 am

fanmale

Regarding RC’s tweet, Friday’s episode could be described as entertaining, but I wouldn’t say it was “EPIC” by any stretch of the imagination. IMO, Thursday’s episode was more exciting and ended with GH’s cliffhanger for the week.

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August 15, 2014 4:57 pm

aria

RC should be banned from using the work epic ever again.

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August 15, 2014 8:40 pm

Harry

Aria, I like the way you think. And could Frank Valentini also stop Tweeting,”After today, GH will never be the same”?

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August 16, 2014 1:02 am

janet

Epic General Hospital OXYMORON !

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August 15, 2014 7:35 pm

Mark

It was not epic but it was cute I love Epiphany and Milo lol! I love
Felix too! It was a nice episode but not to RC lots of thunder and lightning do not mean epic lol !!

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August 15, 2014 10:59 pm

KansasGuest

I thought the episode was fun – with multiple teases between characters & winking at the histories of Sonny & the Cassadines. But, “epic” – no. I laughed & smiled a lot, especially when Carly called out Sonny using his dimples; when Britt nailed the Cassadine history of “keeping it in the family” (& Nikolas had to admit truth); & when Felix did his impressions of Milo & Epiphany. But, I wasn’t holding my breath as I sat on the edge of my seat.

In American culture, the most “epic” daytime soap episodes are probably Luke & Laura’s wedding, Reva Shayne’s “Slut of Springfield” episode on GL, and Karen Wolek’s courtroom confession on OLTL.

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August 16, 2014 10:32 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

I agree…those were EPIC moments!!!

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August 17, 2014 6:36 am

carol

I was looking forward to a real treat. Instead I thought it was the most boring show of the week.

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August 16, 2014 10:54 am

davidevansmith

LOL, didn’t consider the episode epic at all. Maybe there was a preemption that caused the episodes to run off schedule, like maybe he meant Monday’s episode? That said, I do enjoy Franco/Nina, I enjoyed Lucas/Brad (played like a very real interaction, despite the talk of Brad’s role in the baby stealing, etc.), but I don’t care for the Sonny/Carly retread, or Epiphany/Milo. I don’t see Epiphany/Milo going anywhere worthwhile. Great that Epiphany will get laid, great that Milo is actually on screen, but it was played for so many laughs (with the Felix misunderstanding) but it wasn’t really funny. I would think Nikolas would be more guarded about Britt than he has been, and particularly allowing the opportunity to “confuse” Spencer by having her stay the night. Found that plot point to be rather weak. To Britt’s credit, she’s good with Spencer, but she probably needs to be a better disciplinarian, rather than sinking to Spencer’s adolescent level in every scene. It’s almost laughable to me that in Britt/Spencer scenes, Spencer is the one dominating them in every way. It’s a shame! As for people who complain all the time, I understand. Everyone has their snapshot of what GH means to them and should be, and particularly for it being on-air for 51 years, everyone wants it to be THEIR “best” version of GH they remember. I remember a low point in 2001, during the infamous “Endgame” where Stavros was resurrected for the first time, in the depths below General Hospital somewhere in the earth’s core, and I was SO frustrated with the show. Hated nearly everything being done with the show and the characters. I’ve hated Bob Guza’s reign over GH since probably 1997. I think that was the last time I enjoyed anything Guza was doing, but that was the last time he actually tried using the entire canvas, not just cherry-picking his favorite ten characters and shelving the rest for months at a time. That was the year Guza lost his mind and took GH with it. In 2001 I started writing my own fiction for GH because I couldn’t stomach what was on the screen. But I personally never would give up on the show, cause I was giving up on the hope that it would get better, and the only way to tell would be day by day. I’d rather watch so that the show would continue to air until someone could take the show from Bob Guza’s hands and save the show, which I believe Carlivati and Valentini have. I’m entertained on a daily basis and they actually DO allow every character to contribute something to the overall scheme of the show, even if it’s a small way. They have given life again to characters that were long abandoned by Guza, like Lucy, Kevin, Scotty, Bobbie, Felicia, Anna, LUKE, Tracy, Monica, Alexis, Nikolas, the Nurses Ball (!!!)… all these characters were gone by the wayside, and now at least EXIST in the scope… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 11:50 am

Aria

Wow, your comment was epically long, lol , but guess what I agree with everything you said. GH can be great at times then all of sudden horrible, I love all the characters but some more then others, and it’s frustrating when some characters get more airtime then others , for example Kristen storm Maxie when on maternity leave and came back an already had a storyline that’s up and run ing meantime during all that time whatever Liz had going as a storyline she’s now back to being a supportive character and that really sucks especially with talk of Jason coming back and dam is suppose to be the love of his life, sorry but I’m no fan of that pairing. As for RC tweeting this would be n epic episode it could be true he’s off on the episode airfare due to preemption . But bac again to epic, if there’s one episode that fall in that category recently it would be the May 30th episode where Rick was framed, and we finally saw real luke opposite fake fluke, now that was epic in my opinion.

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August 16, 2014 4:32 pm

Aria

* not a fan of Sam and Jason or Sam being describe as the love of his life I’m more of a Liz and Jason pairing especially if billy miller takes over the role they would be hot together, an although I stRted liking Liz with Nikolai they r taking to long with that n I’m beginning to find prince nick boring and sometime full of himself.

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August 16, 2014 4:38 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Aria…who knows…you might get your wish…Jason may suffer from amnesia and when he comes back he might be more attracted to Liz than Sam…

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August 17, 2014 6:41 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Also Aria if there is a slight chance that Jason does return and paired with Liz, maybe the seemed to be forgotten Ric Lansing(i know he is in witness protection but is he or isnt he gone from the show for good…will he return…i thought he would for Molly after the car accident or when her home got bombed) will reenter the picture and complicate the situation…just a thought!!!

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August 17, 2014 7:10 am

rebecca1

I don’t think Jason is going to be paired with either Liz or Sam. I think he will be morphed into an unrecognizable Cassadine agent…and no one will even know he’s back (not even him!)

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August 17, 2014 10:38 am

jimh(leave it to beaver)

I agree with what your saying here…i got very critical of the show this last week…my real life was on a downslide and i felt my soaps were too…it couldve been my personal problems that got me so negative…not only was i very negative about my soaps but i was critical about my homelife and everything else because of my medical problems of and that of my17 year old plus other things going wrong to a point of a possible near nervous breakdown…feeling slightly better i rewatched those episodes…some moments were better than when i originally watched…as for Scott, Bobbi, and Lucy…well, i know its not the show it was 20 to 30 years ago and those 3 for example are only recuring but i still hope they are written in other scenes like Lucy was in the Levi/ Maxi storyline…Bobbi is Lucas’s stepmother and i like to see them in more scenes together as well as Bobbi and daughter Carly…my favorite scene this week turned out to be with Milo and Felix…im not a huge Felix fan but the actor did such a great job in those scenes that if that continues he might win me over…i said might…lol

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August 17, 2014 7:03 am

Belle

I like the idea of Milo and Epiphany . I don’t believe that it’s being played for fun. That’s an insult to both characters; however, I will say that I hope the characters are given a serious romance.
Also, I never liked the mob dominance at GH; especially, when Sonny was allowed to torment A.J. and take his son. I stopped watching GH for about 3 years because of that ; the writers gave the Qs no power on the show.
RC did the same thing when Sonny was allowed to point a gun at AJ as he cowered and told Sonny not to shoot; plus, Michael had to beg Sonny not to shoot AJ ; furthermore , Dante was present when Sonny pulled his gun with it aimed at AJ and Dante said and did nothing. The show had a great opportunity to allow AJ’s character to fight back with dignity ;however, it didn’t. In addition, I believe that some kind of way the writers will allow Michael to forgive Sonny for shooting AJ which would be a travesty to Michael and Monica.

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August 16, 2014 4:44 pm

rebecca1

While I think the idea of Milo and Epiphany is cute…I have a feeling we won’t be seeing much of either one on the show. Both have been relegated to occasional appearances, so if they even remain on the show…and don’t ride off into the sunset ala Spinelli and Ellie…I suspect much of their budding romance will be off screen. And talk about diversified taste! From Lulu to Epiphany…Milo certainly doesn’t have a type!

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August 17, 2014 10:47 am

Shay

Tell me about it!!! Although I don’t necessarily buy into Milo’s sudden “epiphany” regarding Nurse Johnson, I’ll admit it certainly was a “thinking outside the box” idea. I do applaud the notion of this “take-charge” nurse finally receiving some well-deserved male attention! But what’s next? Morgan courting Alice?….It would be nice to see Ms. Gunderson be the next lady to nab a boyfriend! (And far better for Sonny’s boy than hanging out with that repulsive “Grossalie!”)

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August 20, 2014 2:07 am

rebecca1

I HATE “Grossaliie!” I do however think she’s a good actress. But I truly detest her character; have no desire to see her with Morgan…whom I love…and I’m wondering if she’s going to wind up being someone’s child too! She seems to have it out for Silas…why?

Morgan and Alice? Shudders…but funny!

I’m afraid our dear Alice is doomed to be celibate…unless they fix her up with the now invisible Alfred. Wait, is Alfred still Nic’s guy? Don’t remember…

I actually think it would be interesting to see Kiki actually for in love with Morgan for real this time. They’re spending time together..he’s matured…they have history. I would drive Ava mad…

Speaking of Ave, I’m beginning to be convinced that Kiki is actually Nina’s daughter…and they do bare a resemblance. Would be good casting. And…

Speaking of Nina, I like her so much better than I did. I think she’s fantastic with Franco, who is also suddenly so much better developed a character than he was just a few weeks ago. Loving Roger as Franco now! I see a great match with Nina and Franco! And…LOL..speaking of Franco…

Revenge at Sonny. He’s going to tell Michael. And…speaking of…

LOL. to be continued…

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August 20, 2014 9:13 am

Shay

@rebecca1….Of course I was just kidding about Morgan and Alice, although I do think their “friendship” is adorable….he worships “The Dominator!” (And it would be ever so nice to see her find a nice “gentleman!!!”) I do agree with you about Kiki and the younger Corinthos brother…they work much better this time around, and I’ll bet anything she really is Nina’s Clayby…I wonder if the truth will come out when Ava gives birth, say she develops complications and is forced to admit this is her first child? (If she is indeed pregnant at all….there are days I still have my doubts!) As for Nina, I don’t think I will ever enjoy her character….I simply do not like MS and her acting style, but putting her with Franco really does make her more bearable. At least they have something in common (i.e., insanity!) and they play off each other far better than either does with their current partners. Lastly, I really hope that “Grossalie” is NOT related to anyone in Port Charles and will be sent on her merry way sooner rather than later. Nina certainly shouldn’t require her services much longer now that it appears will have Franco as her new “partner in crime!”

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August 21, 2014 12:11 am

rebecca1

I think Grossalie is here for a while…I see no purpose to making her “shady” and so anti-Silas if there wasn’t a reason.

I don’t think Franco’s insane. I think they’ve given him, FINALLY, an adult personality with a backbone…someone I like and can root for. Roger does revenge and vulnerability very well, and I think he’s getting to use that talent in this more recently evolved personality.

Yeah Nina’s insane, but not without reason. How much can the mind take…how much life can be lost…at the hand of one’s own mother! So, I see these two mixed-up souls bonding in some good/bad, soulmate connection way where they “get” each other. However, I don’t think either one will lose their edge so will be a force to reckon with as a couple. (If they ever become one.)

Don’t get me wrong. I love Michael Jr. and the actor. Think he plays his part very welll…liked him from the beginning. And I actually like him with Kiki. But since seeing Morgan and Kiki together again…I see the potential for a great story between them and the fallout if they do get together. Hahah…if that’s the case I could actually see Sabrina with Michael!

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August 21, 2014 9:00 am

Shay

@ rebecca1…..You had me pretty much in total agreement (except for Franco….maybe he’s borderline insane, meaning he could go either way?….) with you until the very LAST sentence! (NO Sappy with Michael…NEVER EVER!) But I guess THAT’s progress….LOL!

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August 22, 2014 11:55 pm

rebecca1

@Shay…LOL! Progress will be made when you start softening your attitude toward Sabrina. If Carly can like Franco, and Michael and Morgan can get past their rivalry and betrayal, if Sam and Elizabeth can put aside their Jason issues…if Mac could finally come to like our dearly departed Spinelli…it is up to you dear soap bud to open up your soapy heart to the lovely, goodhearted nurse. Then, and only then, will you find room enough in your ticker to vehemently despise another too good to be true (but is) soapstress.

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August 23, 2014 9:11 am

Shay

Hah! Sorry, so NOT gonna happen, rebecca1!!!! To be completely honest, I have never “vehemently despised” another “soapstress” like the one currently the topic of our discussion. I’ve had some who were minor (even major ) annoyances and a few who were quite disliked, but I’ve not before experienced such an immense and complete antipathy toward a character as I have with this one. It was instinctual, not premeditated…just a natural, instantaneous reaction, so I rolled with it. I don’t ever foresee that disdain waning…it’s pretty much carved in stone, no matter how much you try to coax, cajole or shame me in to thinking otherwise. But I know you will never stop trying, and I wouldn’t have it any other way! ; )

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August 23, 2014 8:36 pm

rebecca1

Wow! First of all let me say that this site gets the most articulate fans…. I think most who post here express themselves so well it’s difficult to fathom that we watch soaps at all! LOL…what I mean is that the stereotype of the soap fan is less than flattering…

I love reading others opinions and I think it’s great that we have this community where we can toss around ideas, opinions, reactions, predictions, gripes, snipes and shared sentiments. It’s like a soap book club!

With that said, I was kind of disheartened and disgusted at some of the nasty comments, particularly aimed at jimh. “Go back to the hospital where you belong…” What? You have the audacity to say that to someone who has mentioned health problems???!!! “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!” Really, that poster didn’t know that was rude???

This site, just like our soaps, are supposed to be fun and a place to virtually mingle…some do to escape, others just for the fun of sharing ideas…others to throw out ideas….with any of these reasons it’s a social experience. To be so nasty to someone, so insensitive, is just a dose of reality I don’t think any of us needs.

It’s one thing to argue over our soaps…it’s another to cross the line with personal insults and insensitive comments. I can’t get that “go to a hospital where you belong” line out of my mind. Who ARE YOU that said that! Ugh!

As you are aware, and understand, we try our best to give everyone a forum to post their opinions negative or positive about the soaps and the characters. But it crosses the line when many of you start to insult and post insensitive comments about one another! Not cool.

We can’t have that. So please each of you, please think before going on the attack of another person. We don’t want to have to block you from the site. Let’s all be tolerant of each other’s opinions. Let’s not make people feel bad on here. That is not what the site is for.

Thanks!
Best,
Michael

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August 16, 2014 5:58 pm

rebecca1

Thanks for addressing this Michael!

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August 16, 2014 6:43 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Micheal, you have the best soap site here…its even better than any other type of entertainment site i’ve seen…i sometimes have gone off topic and i apologize for that…i do my best to follow the rules and hope others read this and do the same…we love you and we love this site…and a BIG THANKS for doing this for us…keep up the good work…best wishes, Jimh(leave it to beaver)

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August 16, 2014 7:19 pm

Mary SF

Actually this is one the classiest sites on soaps I’ve been on– overall the respect level is great, and when we do get the odd mean poster, the community here is very quick to point it out, like they did in defending jimh. But it was good you reminded everyone to chose their words carefully because there is no tone to written words and sometimes we may think we are being funny or cute and it is an epic fail because it doesn’t come across as that at all.

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August 17, 2014 8:04 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Hi Rebecca, you wont find me disagreeing with you here…those responses i recieved were totally unexpected…i thought i would recieve some simple harmless rebuttal were we could discuss our likes and dislikes about the shows and maybe find some mutual ground…sometime back i seen another poster having to explain her medical condition because someone complained about how she had written her comments in caps…and i thought bad for that poster…i myself explained before about my past medical problems when i made mistakes and it didnt turn out with shocking uncalled for responses ive recieved here recently…before internet i used to write complaints like others had to several soap magazines and i dont recall us getting any rude responses like i had here…like i explained above this was a horrible week for me where everyting went wrong at home…and ive been ill a lot most of my life and often ill for many years…a few years ago i had fallen into a deep hole which also added to my problems…since the late 90s ive lost over two dozen family members and friends and i’ve battled depression for many years…watching soaps help me cope…but this week wasnt my best…not only home problems i got terribly sick, my 17 year old got ill and past out at the supermarket…we both got to the hospital for tests then had to return the next morning when they screwed up some tests…spent all morning there and when i got home hoping my soaps would perk me up but i found the episodes not to my liking…it could be the depression, being ill and worrying about my 17 year old, and exhaustion as the reason why i didnt like the shows this week…i just couldnt get into the show…now ive rewatched some episodes and my opinions remain about the same but werent as bad when i originally watched them…i expected the shows to be different than what the were…were they that bad…no not completely i just felt one episode of GH felt like i was watching a talk show and nothing more than a filler to drag out other storylines and when you get a cliffhanger where Mac was shot most shows would continue that scene the next day but they delayed it by one episode which bugged me…oh, when i threaten to quit…that was mostly me medical probless and depression ispeaking…we often say things we dont mean…i even mention i will continue to watch…maybe i will quit in another year but it might be for different reasons than what i posted here…my problem is i get high expectations that are a little too high and then when things turn out differently i get easily disapointed…i got to stop that but even when my head is cleared and im not feeling bad im still going to post what i like and what i dislike…im not going to say one thing when im thinking another…im going to give my honest opinion if i like something and if i… Read more »

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August 16, 2014 7:08 pm

rebecca1

you don’t have to explain yourself to me or anyone else jimh…it’s all good fun…or should be. don’t take the negative comments to heart…insensitive people are the ones with the real emotional problems.

feel better and “see you” out here on the next post!

😉

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August 16, 2014 9:28 pm

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Thanks for the reply…i usually dont let things get the best of me but this week couldnt be helped…what bugs me is how some have given harsh comments about Y&R and i didnt see any replies as rude and uncalled for like ive gotten about GH but all is forgiven and i plan to ignore it if it happens again…hate is a waste of time…8 and time is too short to waste…im ready too move on…hoping for better weeks ahead…again, thank you!

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August 17, 2014 9:01 am

k/kay

Soapy Fans FV was giving a SHOUT OUT to Allison Sweeney on her directorial debut! Relax! I think it is very sweet of him, Michelle Stafford is all over Twitter giving her kudos.

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August 16, 2014 6:43 pm

brenda

Friday’s show was just okay, not epic. I was expecting at least a good cliffhanger. Congrats to AS.

The newest talk shows in the daytime arena premiered on Monday and their initial ratings were quite strong. First up was the premiere of Grammy-winner, Kelly Clarkson and her new series The Kelly Clarkson Show.

According to Variety: the NBCUniversal new daytime series scored a 1.9 household metered market rating and a 6 share in the 56 metered markets. That is the highest debut for a new syndicated show since 2012.

Elsewhere, Disney’s Tamron Hall posted a 1.4 household rating and a 5 share, and with that Tamron scored the highest other debut other than Clarkson in the past five years.

Nashville was the most successful and predicted market for Clarkson, the show scored a 5.97 household rating on its premiere day which climbed 7% to a 6.41 on Tuesday.

Hall will be promoting her show with a cameo appearance on this Friday’s episode of General Hospital where she appears in scenes with Ingo Rademacher (Jax).

In a tweet Tamron also promised that on Friday’s episode of her talker she will talk about her “longgggggg #GH love and history.”

So, have you checked out the new Kelly Clarkson or Tamron Hall Shows? What do you think of them? Comment below.

General Hospital fans know that Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) has fathered a lot of children in Port Charles and then some, and there is even another Corinthos baby on the way.

Now, available on ABC.com and the ABC app (no sign in required) comes a new collection of past GH episodes entitled, ‘All Sonny’s Children’ featuring life-changing moments in the mobster’s life. The collection is available for viewing today September 9th through December 1st.

Courtesy/ABC

Included in the the 16-episode collection is: Sonny learning the truth about Dante, Michael’s devastating confession, Morgan’s heartbreaking struggles with mental health, Sonny’s unconditional love and support of daughter Kristina, as well as the hesitation and joy that comes with knowing a new baby is on the way.

So, check out the collection and let us know which episodes are your favorites? And, who is your favorite kid of Sonny’s of all-time? Weigh-in below. But first watch the just released promo for the collection.

Sonny Corinthos’ children are the reason he wakes up in the morning. Relive some of their most unforgettable moments in the newest General Hospital Collection: All Sonny’s Children. All 16 episodes are available now – without a login! CLICK TO WATCH: https://t.co/IytVDHu6Oe#GHpic.twitter.com/dtdINhykzc

It was a pretty wonky summer for General Hospital’s Dr. Hamilton Finn (Michael Easton), especially concerning the women in his life. After proposing to Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) she exits to go deal with her twin sister, Alex, thus facilitating Hughes’ summer break from the series.

Meanwhile, another great love of Finn’s life, Hayden (Rebecca Budig) re-emerges on the canvas during Liz (Rebecca Herbst) and Franco’s (Roger Howarth) wedding reception, and is now clearly involved in some story with Jasper Jacks (Ingo Rademacher). But what about the unresolved feelings and story with Hayden and Finn? After all, she left him and Port Charles and had his child (who is apparently alive) but is not letting her ex know that little fact.

Meanwhile as a doctor, Finn has had to deal with numerous medical infectious disease crisis’, with the latest being what happened to Sasha (Sofia Matteson) at the hands of the evil Cassandra Pierce (Jessica Tuck), who Finn would love to put behind bars for all of her nefarious drug-related crimes and for what she previously perpetrated on him.

Michael Fairman TV recently caught up with one of our favorite gents in daytime, Michael Easton, to get his thoughts on the on-screen developments in Port Charles, what he hopes is ahead this fall, a look back at some of his favorite soap roles (from One Life’s John McBain to Port Charles’ Caleb Morley), why One Life to Live was such a gem of a soap and a special time for him and his enduring soap career, and much more. So, here’s what Michael shared in our irreverent entertaining, and candid chat.

Photo: ABC

Hayden has been back. But you and Rebecca Budig have not thus far shared many scenes together. Do you think we will eventually circle back to their story?

MICHAEL: First of all, it is amazing having Rebecca back. I’d like to say that I had forgotten how beautiful and talented she is, but I didn’t. She stays with you, and her performances resonate. So, coming back to work with her is like falling back into it. For selfish reasons, I am somewhat disappointed that I thought when Hayden came back; she would completely turn Finn’s life upside down. So, to be honest with you, I don’t know much more than what you are seeing is going on.

I don’t understand why the show is keeping that apart. That’s what people wanted to see when Hayden came back, because many fans loved them together.

MICHAEL: I’ve taken a hit anytime I’ve run into fans because I think (any fans that follow that couple), when they left, are a little disappointed in what they are seeing in that the girl who left is not the girl who has come back. I think that has been the difficult thing for Finn. It’s almost like she has reverted back to a character she was a few years prior to that. In terms of having his life upturned, it hasn’t been upturned because she has been rather cold to him. So, it probably isn’t the way I would have told the story, but maybe they have some great stuff up their sleeve. I think the stuff that we have had together has shown promise. Hopefully there will be more, because I enjoy working with her so much.

So, there’s a baby. Does Finn ever think the baby Hayden said died, could be alive?

MICHAEL: I don’t think he does. I think he (just from Finn’s nature) would believe that she would never to that to him. I imagine his thought would be, “What did I ever do to you? You would do this to me,” because he was clearly in love with her, and she broke his heart. I don’t think he ever sees that coming. I know it’s hard because the audience all knows that, and it’s hard to play the person who is not in the loop when everybody else knows the truth, but you have to play that. You have to play that you don’t watch the show. I think Finn has to come from that place that she would never do that, and I think that will probably take it to a place (if that is the case) that will just make the fall that much grander, but again it is incredible having Rebecca back.

Photo: ABV

Has Rebecca said anything to you like, “What’s going on? I’m barely talking to you on the show?” (Laughs)

MICHAEL: Yes. I don’t want to speak for her, but I think she probably thought it was going to be more the character that left who was coming back. I think we’ve all been a little surprised, but maybe the writers have some great surprises up their sleeves, and this will play out. It’s just different than I thought it would play out.

Finola Hughes had gone off on her summer vacation for awhile which put a pause in what’s next for the Anna and Finn romance, as well.

MICHAEL: Well, you work with me long enough, and then you need some time off, right? It’s like PTSD, right? You need a three-month treatment plan to make it back. So, I don’t blame her for taking some time off. (Laughs)

Finn proposed to Anna with this impromptu-at-her feet-moment at the Nurses’ Ball. Did you like the proposal?

MICHAEL: The only thing that I would have done differently is that I originally thought she said no, just because I love playing uncomfortable, embarrassing moments. I would have had a lot of fun with that because being embarrassed in front of groups of people is something that I would like to play. I do that quite often in my own life. (Laughs) I didn’t watch it back, but in the moment, it felt really nice. She’s lovely. Who wouldn’t propose to her? So, there wasn’t a great deal of difficulty in doing that.

Photo: ABC

Do you sense the on-screen magic between Finn and Anna?

MICHAEL: I hope we both bring each other out of our comfort zones a little bit. I think Finola embraces that, and I embrace that. I think we both sort of pull each other a little bit. When the writers write it that way, especially early on, there was a lot of great dialogue and banter, it was like a very adult-type of movie for a while, and I really enjoy that. It is like Sullivan’s Travels or something like that. That’s a really dated reference. Who else do you know that is going to pull out a reference to Preston Sturges movies? (Laughs) How about Moonlighting? Even that might be dated now, but it’s closer. (Laughs) I think that’s it. She’ll go with it. Sometimes just in the flow of it, stuff comes out, and nothing goes by Finola. There is no ad-lib or gesture that you can make where she won’t go with you on it. She’s such a pro, and she is so good at that.

Do you think Finn will finally help apprehend Cassandra? How is it when you get to work with Jessica Tuck?

MICHAEL: Yeah. I would imagine. I love Jessica. I think she is fantastic, and I always like when the “bad guy” doesn’t know they’re the bad guy. I know when I played Caleb on Port Charles; one of the things I liked about him was that he never thought he was the bad guy. I think that is always the right way to play a bad guy, and Jessica certainly doesn’t play it that way. She plays it like she is just really devious. She is lovely. I sort of look at it like a team, and anytime you lose good players, your team is not as good. So, anytime someone says something about someone coming back who is a really good actor, it’s great when they come back.

Photo: JPI

How does Finn feel now about his brother, Chase (Josh Swickard)? He just can’t seem to get himself to show his affection towards his younger brother.

MICHAEL: He does love him, and that’s right. That’s the conflict, but it’s hard to be mad at Josh because he is the sweetest kid. He looks at you with those big brown eyes, and you go, “Why am I being such a jerk to this guy? He’s just too nice, but it’s good. I think we’ve slowly developed a rapport, and it’s just one of those things that I think every so often, daytime gets right where you can almost tell something in real time. It wasn’t rushed. It’s taken a year, and they are sort of coming around to one another, but there are still a lot of secrets. That’s coming up.

Photo: ABC

Where would you rate Finn in the scope of your characters? I mean, for me, McBain will always be #1.

MICHAEL: Is McBain 1? (Laughs) You and Steve Burton (Jason, GH). I’ve never sat and ranked them. Obviously, I played McBain the longest, and it was probably the character who was the most like me I did ride-alongs with cops in New York City for like a month. So, I was able to ground him in some reality for myself, and I was able to stick to that. We had a great adviser on the show for over a year who was a former New York City detective, gold shield guy. Someone once asked why the police department was so good at One Life, and that was it. They really embraced it. We didn’t have people sneaking out of the jail-cell with a bobby pin picking the lock. (Laughs)

It was a bit grittier on One Life.

MICHAEL: I enjoyed that. McBain not saying “I love you” for 10 years, being on daytime and being able to do that – now that is quite the accomplishment!

Photo: JPI

I remember when McBain FINALLY told Natalie (Melissa Archer) “I love you.” I lost it, but then again, I am sucker for soapy goodness like that. It was a big moment.

MICHAEL: It was. Then, he had to kind of retract it and said, “I was drugged.”

Yeah right, he had that “What did I do?” moment.

MICHAEL: “What did I do?” That’s right. So, that was a challenge, and that was really interesting. Port Charles’ Caleb was probably the most fun to play because that was just an incredible amount of freedom. There was no grounding it in anything. It was the biggest sandbox I’d ever played in. If you wanted to walk over to the couch, you walked over to the couch. You did whatever you wanted to, and obviously, getting to work with the lovely Kelly Monaco (Ex-Livvie, Port Charles, now Sam, GH) every day… it was just nice. Caleb only had one intention. He was in love with this girl, and he just wanted to be with her, and anytime you get one specific need as an actor, it makes it so easy. You’ll stop at nothing to be with this girl, and that’s so fun to play.

Photo: ABC

Right, and Kelly Monaco and you have amazing chemistry when you have been paired romantically together in story.

MICHAEL: Yeah, I think those things exist in a special place, and they probably belong in that special place. Although, I thought it was an interesting dynamic for a period of time, it would have been interesting to see where that would have gone on GH with McBain, and Jason, and Sam, because there was something there that they could have built on very slowly. I don’t know what would have happened, but I think that dynamic was the only dynamic that could have worked for a period of time. I don’t think Fin would work, but that one dynamic would have been interesting when you have the cop, the outlaw, and the girl who comes between them.

Photo: ABC

One Life to Live recently would have celebrated its 51st anniversary if it was still on the air. Back in July, I posted these photos of major characters through the years. I received so many “likes” and so many comments on social media such as, “I miss it so much. Bring it back!” What can you say about those enduring One Life fans and being part of that one-of-a-kind show?

MICHAEL: They’re the most beautiful fans. All of the daytime fans are beautiful, but I think it was a really nice connection with the One Life to Live fans, and we got to know so many of them working in New York on the streets, you came out of the studio, and people were right there. So, you really got to know them. You got to engage with people. I love that show, and I miss it. Otherwise, I still stay in touch with a lot of them. I think that speaks to it. I have lifelong friends who I met on that show, which never happens. Usually, you walk out of a show on your last day, and you’ll never see anybody again. You’ll all say, “Yeah, let’s exchange numbers.” I walk out of there and I go, “Thank you, and I’ll never see you again.” I don’t even lie to people. Like, I know I’ll never see you again, and I never have except for that show, and I am still in touch with so many of those people. So, I think that spoke to how close we were.

Photo: JPI

Were you and Roger Howarth (Franco/Drew) always close on One Life, or are you closer now because you do all of the personal appearance events you do together?

MICHAEL: Well, Roger and I have known each other; it must be going on… 25-30 years now. So, it was pre-One Life. I think at some point we both had long hair, and both had done daytime, so we were pretty interchangeable. I think one time they called him about a part I did, and one time, they called me about a part when he left. I actually know Roger because I did a series called 413 Hope St., and Jesse Martin was the lead in it. It was a Damon Wayans series for Fox. So, I had known of Roger, but I really got to know him at a New Year’s Eve party in like 1995/96. Obviously, I’ve become really close to him now because we never did appearances or that sort of thing, but I think we have both sort of gotten over ourselves a little bit now. (Laughs)

Because you weren’t very visible before. That goes for both of you!

MICHAEL: No, and that’s by default. I don’t think we ever discussed it.

Photo: ABC

It wasn’t a conscious decision?

MICHAEL: No, I just thought (especially when I came back to daytime to do Caleb) it was just more interesting if people didn’t know a lot about me because the character was that. So, it took me a while to ease into it, and also, I just had to get over myself. I had a fear of engaging with large groups of people for a while. In a strange way, Roger and I have kind of gravitated to each other. I think we are both similar types. Between the two of us, we make up one real man, you know? Each of us is like half a man. (Laughs)

Together you can conquer.

MICHAEL: We are a good crutch for each other! He picks up my half, I pick up his. That’s the solution.

So what do you think GH viewers can look forward to coming up with Finn?

MICHAEL: I’m assuming at some point he is going to get his world turned upside down when he finds out about Hayden and the baby, and how he is going to react to that will probably be interesting. I hope that’s going to happen.

Photo: ABC

If he became an addict again, how would you feel about that?

MICHAEL: I think him struggling and getting over that would be interesting. I would hope that wouldn’t be his reaction, but I guess that always hangs over your head. Certainly, him falling apart would be interesting. I think your faith in the universe would be crushed in that moment. I don’t know how he would react. I’m just really curious to see how that would shake out and to play that. I think it would be a challenge. I think you’re always looking for some way to turn everything … and I invite that. I always think that sometimes in daytime we play the gimmick, but you should always play to the heart of the story. What’s going to make you feel something? If you feel something as the character, as the actor, I think the audience will feel something with you. I think it is maybe one of the things that we have gotten away from a little bit is that emotional attachment. When I watch shows that really move me, it’s still that emotional attachment between two people, and at the end of the day it should still be a love story … no matter what it is. I think that is the heart of what we should be doing. I think every poem should be a love poem of some sort. I know they have to weave the other stuff, the science fiction, and the memories, and the missing babies, and the twins, but at the heart of it, it should really be about two people finding themselves in love.

MICHAEL: Trevor St. John (Ex-Todd/Victor Lord Jr. OLTL) and I are always talking about doing a short film. Every time we drink too much beer, next thing you know, we are going to be doing a movie. We have many beers, and then we shoot a film. Then, we call our friends like Kamar de los Reyes (Ex-Antonio, OLTL), and Sherri Saum (Ex-Keri, OLTL), and Dan Gauthier (Ex-Kevin OLTL), and we go, “Now you guys, drink many beers, and you will join us on this film.”

See, now I get how movies are made!

So, are you hoping that GH tells more of the story between Finn and Hayden? Are you hoping that Anna and Finn make it to their “I do’s? What would you like to see happen to Finn? And finally, of all Michael’s soap roles which has been your favorite? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.